I just lately flew with Saudia from Manila to Amsterdam through Jeddah in enterprise class. I used to be uncertain what to anticipate, nevertheless it was a incredible expertise. I used to be in a position to expertise the brand new service on the Amsterdam flight and the outdated service from Manila which shall be phased out quickly.
My solely concern through the journey was a part of the bottom expertise at Jeddah airport. The cleanliness of the showers at their lounge in Jeddah left loads to be desired. Nonetheless, the lounge was fairly spectacular.
General, it was an incredible expertise; it exceeded my expectations. It felt like flying on a small boutique airline that has rigorously curated its new inflight expertise. The crew was wonderful on each flights, and I want to ship a giant shout-out to Tania on my flight from Jeddah to Amsterdam. She was so accommodating, skilled and pleasant.
I had flown in with Malaysia airways from KL and needed to switch to my subsequent flight in the identical terminal. From the minute I approached the PAL switch desk, it was nothing wanting a sh*t present. I had checked in on-line. Nonetheless, I couldn’t proceed to my subsequent gate or the airways’ lounge till all my paperwork and particulars have been checked. After a 1.5-hour wait, I used to be allowed to go to the lounge, however I nonetheless wanted a bodily boarding move. Floor workers dealing with the check-in for Saudia appeared confused about Schengen visa guidelines and wanted to study entry guidelines.
Saudia makes use of the Marhaba Lounge at Terminal 1; it’s nothing particular, comparatively small, however sufficient. The workers right here have been lower than useful. Throughout my time right here, one of many floor workers from the airline requested for my passport, and so they disappeared with it for about 2.5 hours. After 1 hour, I used to be involved, as I nonetheless didn’t have a boarding move and the workers within the lounge couldn’t give me any additional info, and albeit, they couldn’t care much less!
About 30 minutes earlier than boarding, I used to be lastly given my passport and boarding passes. I proceeded to the gate and waited for boarding; as soon as we have been known as for boarding, all our belongings have been checked by safety workers earlier than we entered the aerobridge.
SAUDIA PRE TAKE OFF EXPERIENCE
The flight was scheduled for about 11 hours. Earlier than take-off, I used to be supplied the next:
Inflight Menu
Amenity Package
Welcome Drink
Arabic Espresso/Dates
Sizzling Towel
It nonetheless impresses me how Center Jap airways present a excessive stage of service on the bottom earlier than departure.
The older model enterprise class cabin was configured in a 2 2 2 configuration.
I’ve since been suggested that the service supplied on the airways Manila flights is the outdated service, which is because of be phased out in February 2023. (The brand new service is detailed beneath on the 787 service from Jeddah to Amsterdam)
Right here’s a have a look at the inflight menu choices:
Saudia is a dry airline (no alcohol supplied); this isn’t an issue for me as I usually don’t drink a lot, if in any respect, throughout flights.
In the course of the service, two cabin crew labored within the cabin, every crew member engaged on both facet shifting ahead to aft. It took them about 20 minutes to take everybody’s inflight meal orders.
Their service language and manners have been wonderful, and I used to be invited to affix them for dinner with pleasant smiles.
I opted for the Arabic mezze and the crumbed hen.
About 1 hour after take-off, I acquired my meal.
The cabin crew pleasantries continued all through the service, they have been blissful however most of all pleasant and approachable.
The meals ex Manila was first rate sufficient, however I discovered the meals ex Jeddah tastier. I cherished the cake supplied through the first service, the Arabic mezze was beautiful, however the crumbed hen was common.
I went to sleep for about 6 hours, and I used to be requested if I wished something as quickly as I awoke.
About 1.45 minutes earlier than touchdown, I requested for the hen biryani, it was scrumptious.
Simply earlier than touchdown, I observed the cabin supervisor interacting with passengers, asking them how their flight was and apologising for the delay in our service. I used to be impressed that he did this with everybody.
TRANSFER EXPERIENCE & ALFOURSAN LOUNGE
The switch expertise could possibly be improved. The 2 feminine workers sitting of their chairs on their telephones and ignoring passengers on the first/enterprise class transit counter was not look. I used the economic system class switch counter as an alternative and lined up with everybody within the safety line.
All was forgotten as quickly as I entered the lounge; it’s spectacular and contains a first and business-class part (first is in direction of the left while you stroll in).
It’s one of many largest Skyteam lounges accommodating 450 passengers in a 3,500 sq m space (with no home windows although).
With out realising I had walked into the primary class part of the lounge, and there was nobody round to examine my eligibility. I loved strolling across the space, and seeing the amenities supplied to firstclass passengers. They included:
Eating areas, Date bar and extra seating areas.
The enterprise class space options:
Barista Espresso Service
Dessert Bar
Pizzeria
Sleep rooms
Bathe Space (Extra on that beneath)
Children Play Space and extra.
It’s a stunning lounge, quiet and provides loads of area and issues to do. My solely concern was the state of the showers, and once I requested for a clear bathe I used to be given some towels and instructed to make use of one of many soiled ones. But when that’s the worst factor that occurred throughout my journey…
One of the crucial extraordinary issues to see within the lounge was the robots that made their method by the lounge providing drinks to folks.
This flight was on the airways’ Boeing 787 in a 1 2 1 configuration. The identical service movement on the bottom adopted as per my earlier flight. Nonetheless, the amenity equipment supplied on this sector was beautiful.
I completely love this Missoni males’s amenity equipment, the attention shades are one of the best I’ve ever seen in an amenity equipment, and I really like the collaboration with Grown Alchemist (their bathe gels are wonderful; I take advantage of them at house). It’s an incredible equipment, and I’ll put the toiletry bag to good use.
Tania launched herself and suggested she can be taking care of me on this flight. About 10 minutes after taking off, she took my meal order. I additionally observed an inflight chef working within the galley
There have been no menus on this flight, and Tania defined all of the dishes and dressed my tray desk exactly.
I opted for the up to date Arabic delicacies choice that includes Shakshuka eggs with potatoes, caramelised onions, falafel, varied pastries, tomato/cucumber salad, and contemporary fruit. It was served with a superfood juice. I cherished it.
I then went to sleep for a couple of hours.
The inflight chef observed I used to be within the service and meals side of the flight, and he took the chance to return and introduce himself. We mentioned the menu, his job, and the way Saudia has reworked its inflight service. He prompt I pattern one thing else, and he whipped up an Arabic mezze.
The Saudia Arabic mezze didn’t disappoint! It started with Tabbouleh, hummus, and muhammara dip served with cheese sambousek. The muhammara dip (crimson peppers, walnuts, pomegranate molasses, and spices) was luscious. I loved this mezze (since August, I’ve sampled related mezze gadgets on Qatar Airways and Oman Air). I believe it was among the finest I’ve had thus far. It was introduced fantastically and was contemporary and scrumptious.
I completely cherished my expertise with Saudia. I used to be anticipating one thing else. They’re actually up there with one of the best airways within the Center East, even when they don’t supply among the finest wine cellars within the sky!